Destination Known | Mexico City
I had the good fortune of making it here twice in 2015 – once for a low-key weekend with my parents and the second time, the opposite of that: July 4th weekend with ten 20-30 year olds, some local and others not. Like New Orleans, the only knock I have on this culture-rich, lively, and food-focused city is the aftermath of a visit: six lbs heavier, 10x more tired, and anxiety-ridden over an inability to handle rapid aging. I acknowledge though that, when referenced in conjunction with one another, these are all signs of a good time. Mexico City is a big (hence why the below is organized by hood) + good time.
Roma | one of two cool + young + hip hoods
Dinner @ Rosetta: 20 ft ceilings with gorgeous greenery + italian antiques fill this former home, nom delish italian comida in a romantic + lively rooms with fireplaces
Dinner @ Cabrera 7: reminiscent of a pinterest scene too eclectic and too beautiful to be somewhere i found myself…delicious, authentic food + margs + candlelit indoor-outdoor space
Though I didn’t make it to the below, on the list due to a write up in BAZAAR…
Saturday. Lunch @ Mercado Roma: gourmet food market + efficient venue to sample selections from city’s most celebrated restaurants + shops
Saturday. Shop @ Mercado Alvaro Obregon: crafts and paintings
Condesa | two of two cool + young + hip hoods
Stay + Drink @ Condesa DF Hotel
Drink @ La Clandestina: mezcal bar so hip that the venue itself might sell you on the smokey liquor…but maybe not
Lunch @ Contramar: spent 7 hours of life sitting at an (outside – must) table here between two, and in particular one, very long lunches – both well worth the scene of wealthy and when lucky, rowdy, locals, as well as tequila + mezcal tasting, crab + shrimp tostadas, pulpo ceviche, and basically anything but the sea tasty shrimp
Dinner @ Bonito: Group din at this indoor-outdoor spot w/ tall ceilings + great margs
Polanco | picturesque, tree-lined neighborhood, Beverly Hills of Ciudad
Stay @ Hyatt Regency: loved our stay, lobby is exquisite
Stay @ Marriott: parents prefer the rooms here
Lunch @ Dulcinea: small, sidewalk tables to enjoy the inexplicably amazing TORTILLA SOUP
Modern Art @ Museo Soumaya: appreciate the architecture in the drive-by alone. time permitting, fill the museum quota with seven floors of Dalí, Picasso, Renoir, Miró, van Gogh, Matisse, Monet, El Greco, and seasonal exhibits (i.e. Sophia Loren – fashion and fable yesss)
Sunday. Walk @ Paseo de la Reforma: modeled after Champs-Élysées, closed to cars on Sunday mornings so bike or walk it (off)…pit stop at the entrance to the Bosque de Chapultepec, the city’s largest park
Though I didn’t make it to the below as a result of altitude-induced sleepiness, on every checklist…
National Museum of Anthropology – houses the original Mayan calendar
Centro | downtown – where you’ll feel that “largest city in N.A” stat
Lunch or Dinner @ Azul Historico, DOWNTOWN Mexico Hotel: visited this indoor-outdoor oasis for both meals; trees strung with lights create a majestic canopy seen from the second floor hotel; a noteworthy chef traveled the country to create authentic dishes from every region
Drinks @ DOWNTOWN Mexico Hotel Rooftop: enjoy Centro without being overwhelmed from the top floor of this grand former residence; colonial meets modern, no need to be design savvy to appreciate the ambiance created by the architecture + live band + stacked cocktail menu
FUN Pop Art @ Museo de Arte Popular (1 hr): modern + mexican + colorful + dia de los muertos art – nada not to love
Walk @ Zocalo/Plaza Palacio National Catedral (30 min): quintessential movie scene with the enormous Mexican bandera (por los gringos: flag)…walk in the church + light a candle + say a prayer for our world
San Ángel | afternoon in this historic hood
Saturday. Shop @ Bazar del Sábado in Plaza de San Jacinto: don’t miss this flea market + adjacent flower market – my apt now enjoys two wall art purchases made here
Coyocan | afternoon in this former vacation burb, now very much ciudad
Stroll @ Plaza San Juan: enjoy greenery + people scenery on a walk and/or ice cream sampling tour; naturally, i suggest you pursue the latter
Architecture + Art @ Museo Frida Khalo: Khalo’s birthplace and home with Diego Rivera…go early as the line can be daunting and wear makeup as gram opportunities are abundant
Outskirts – 30 min w/ no traffic | worth it for the view + Catholic symbolism
Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe): Spend 1.5 here. The church houses the cloth upon which Mary’s image miraculously appeared in the story of Juan Diego. Climb the stairs for breathtaking views of the city.